You will need to sign on with your LLLID (La Leche League ID) before you can post. If you have never claimed your LLLID, create your LLLID now. To sign in, click the LLLID Sign On button in the upper right corner. Enter your LLLID Alias and click the button again.

Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

Hi Ladies,

My DD is a little over 7 months old. My pediatrician suggested I try giving her some YoBaby yogurt, as a way of introducing new things into her solids diet. I've noticed after feeding her some yogurt, she has what appear to be hives around her mouth (where the yogurt has made contact). I've also noticed this happen with other solids that contain any form of dairy. Anyone else experience this? How long does it last? Anything I should know? I've done some research on the internet already, but wanted to get some information from real people who have experienced this.

I will note that the skin irritation is the only thing that occurs...she has no trouble swallowing/breathing after eating the dairy.

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

I would call hives an allergic reaction, not a contact rash. Are they raised?

If they are raised and not just a slightly reddish mark, then I would pull all dairy, including from your diet if you are still nursing, and call the pedi or allergist and ask for a RAST test(from pedi) and possibly a skin prick test from an allergist.

There are 2 mamas on here who have children that are very allergic to dairy and they had the exact same experience as you are describing.

And, if your lo is allergic, she may get hives this time, but next time it could cause breathing problems. The reactions can change with each exposure.

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

Originally Posted by @llli*shannon75

I would call hives an allergic reaction, not a contact rash. Are they raised?

If they are raised and not just a slightly reddish mark, then I would pull all dairy, including from your diet if you are still nursing, and call the pedi or allergist and ask for a RAST test(from pedi) and possibly a skin prick test from an allergist.

There are 2 mamas on here who have children that are very allergic to dairy and they had the exact same experience as you are describing.

And, if your lo is allergic, she may get hives this time, but next time it could cause breathing problems. The reactions can change with each exposure.

Amy married to my bestfriend since 10/30/04 Proud SAHM to DS born 2/17/07 and DD born 9/11/08 Both weaned together 11/2011Currently milk, peach, peanut and tree nut free. DD has outgrown her wheat, cheese, egg, garlic, and citrus allergies

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

What does the rash look like? Is it raised bumps or generally red with tiny bumps.

My DD has a severe dairy allergy. I didn't take it seriously enough at first - thinking it was only an intolerance. But each time we 'tried again' the reaction got worse. Her first reactions did not include breathing trouble, but eventually they did. It is extremely scary and we now have epipens for her.

I would really recommend getting your LO tested. I didn't pull dairy from my diet - at the time I thought she wasn't reacting to my milk, so I didn't think it was necessary. But she ended up self-weaning early and looking back I see that there were signs of her reacting to my milk. They just weren't blatantly obvious. IMO cutting dairy from my diet would have been a lot easier and a lot cheaper than having to find supplements and worrying about nutrition.

AmandaFormerly: baby-blue-eyes

Canadian Mum to Naomi Born 03/17/08 and has a dairy allergy we are hoping she will outgrow. Nursed for 1 year
And Gavin Born 01/13/10. 22 months, still nursing and already determined to find every possible way of giving me a heart attack with his dare devilishness

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

Originally Posted by @llli*baby-blue-eyes

at the time I thought she wasn't reacting to my milk

My DS1 didn't have any *obvious* food allergy symptoms when exclusively breastfed. He did have ezcema, chronic junky nose & occasional mucusy poops. All of which cleared up after we COMPLETELY eliminated ALL dairy from BOTH his and my diets.

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

Originally Posted by @llli*lsksam

My DS1 didn't have any *obvious* food allergy symptoms when exclusively breastfed. He did have ezcema, chronic junky nose & occasional mucusy poops. All of which cleared up after we COMPLETELY eliminated ALL dairy from BOTH his and my diets.

Yep looking back I see soo many signs - DD spat up tons... everyone kept telling me it was normal and babies spit up. But I never understood how anyone used those burp cloths if it was normal. I used a receving blanket folded THICK to protect my shirt so much came up.

She had a HUGE patch of ezcema on her right bum cheek... basically covering the cheek. Coincidently went away within days of her self-weaning.

She was a horrible sleeper, and the more we nursed the mroe she woke. We ended up cosleeping when she was waking every 3 hrs again and that led to her waking every hour on the hour.

She had occassionally mucousy poops, and runny noses but I always brushed them off as nothing since they didn't last.

Allergies can be a pain to deal with - but it's much better to deal with them than ignore them and end up with a anaphylactic reaction 'out of the blue'.

AmandaFormerly: baby-blue-eyes

Canadian Mum to Naomi Born 03/17/08 and has a dairy allergy we are hoping she will outgrow. Nursed for 1 year
And Gavin Born 01/13/10. 22 months, still nursing and already determined to find every possible way of giving me a heart attack with his dare devilishness

Re: Dairy "Contact" Allergy?

Thank you all for your replies and the great information. I would respond to each person, however, I am relatively new to this site and not sure how to respond to multiple people, using multiple quotes in the response. Not even sure how to make a signature. Just didn't want to seem informal.

Anyhow, my pediatrician is "off" until after the New Year, so we could only speak to an office assistant, who relayed information from another doctor, back to my DH and I.

To make a long story short, I was told to stop giving her all dairy (DUH!!) and that she couldn't be tested for a dairy allergy until she was a year old. I asked if this sort of allergy was common and she couldn't even answer my question. I'm pretty upset. I think we need to switch pediatricians. I was also told that I do not need to avoid dairy, as my milk "doesn't become cow's milk" because I eat dairy and feed her. A bit condescending, no?

I will avoid all dairy and will not give her anymore. I do want to note that she has not exhibited ANY of the other signs you all gave - mucusy poops, runny nose, excessive spitting up, etc. Not sure if that is helpful information or not.

This may seem like a silly question, but do you think this dairy allergy will be permanent? Can children "grow out of" this type of thing? As my DH asked me, "have we ruined" my DD for giving her dairy?

I'm feeling so lost. I really appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my questions! Thank you so much!